The tournament finals drew a crowd that exceeded the venue's official capacity.
Word had spread through the festival overnight, two of the legendary "Four Supernovas" would clash in an exhibition match. Trainers who'd traveled from distant regions crowded into the converted warehouse, some standing three deep along the walls, others watching through windows from outside. Camera drones hovered at maximum permitted altitude, feeding the spectacle to viewers across Kanto.
Sasuke stood at his designated position, Victini perched on his shoulder. The small Pokémon's presence was comfort rather than strategy, a reminder of partnership in a match where pride rather than badges hung in the balance.
Across the arena, Kanaye Senju radiated controlled intensity. The Senju heir had shed yesterday's casual warmth, replaced by the focused demeanor of a trainer who'd spent three years preparing for moments exactly like this. His golden eyes, so similar to Miyuki's, tracked Sasuke with analytical precision.
"International Friendly Tournament Finals!" The announcer's voice crackled with excitement. "Representing Celadon City and the ancient Senju Clan: Kanaye Senju! Representing Blackthorn City and the legendary Uchiha Clan: Sasuke Uchiha!"
The crowd's roar was deafening.
"This is an exhibition match with no official League implications," the announcer continued. "However, we are witnessing something extraordinary, two of the Four Supernovas, the trainers who've taken the competitive world by storm, facing each other for the first time!"
Kanaye's hand moved to his belt. "I've been looking forward to this, Uchiha. Every trainer we've both beaten has compared us. Time to settle who's actually stronger."
"Agreed." Sasuke's response was equally direct. "No holding back."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Kanaye's Pokéball flew with practiced precision. "Mega Salamence!"
The Dragon Pokémon materialized in its enhanced form, sleek, predatory, its crescent-shaped wings already generating lift. Mega Salamence's reputation for aerial dominance was well-earned, its Aerilate ability transforming normal attacks into flying-type devastation.
Sasuke's choice was immediate. "Latios."
The Eon Pokémon emerged with characteristic grace, its blue and white form hovering effortlessly above the arena floor. Dragon/Psychic typing matched against Dragon/Flying, a battle that would be decided by skill rather than type advantage.
"Both trainers have chosen Dragon-types!" The announcer's voice pitched higher with excitement. "This will be a pure skill matchup! Battle begin!"
Mega Salamence struck first.
The Dragon-type launched into Dragon Dance, boosting both speed and attack power while simultaneously closing distance. Kanaye's strategy was immediately apparent, build momentum, overwhelm the opponent before they could establish defensive patterns.
Sasuke countered with equal speed. "Agility!"
Latios blurred, its already impressive velocity doubling in an instant. Where Salamence prioritized raw power, Latios chose pure speed, a philosophical difference that would define the entire battle.
"Dragon Claw!"
Salamence's attack came with boosted power, claws raking toward Latios with force that could shatter stone. But the Eon Pokémon was already elsewhere, its Agility-enhanced movement allowing evasion that seemed almost casual.
"Luster Purge!"
Psychic energy erupted in a concentrated beam, striking Salamence's flank before the Dragon-type could reposition. The attack's secondary effect lowered special defense, a tactical advantage that would compound over time.
"Again!" Kanaye commanded. "Dragon Dance!"
Salamence's second boost brought its power to terrifying levels, each movement generating pressure waves that disturbed the arena's air currents. The Dragon-type had become a living weapon, trading Latios's precision for overwhelming force.
"You can't dodge forever," Kanaye observed. "Eventually, one hit connects."
"Then I won't let it connect." Sasuke's voice carried absolute confidence. "Latios, Draco Meteor!"
The ultimate Dragon-type attack erupted skyward, splitting into dozens of energy meteors that rained destruction across the arena. Salamence wove between falling stars, its own draconic nature providing partial resistance, but multiple impacts found their mark.
"Counter with your own! Draco Meteor!"
Twin storms of dragon energy collided above the battlefield, meteors striking meteors in explosions that showered the arena with debris. The stadium's barrier systems flickered under the strain, their protective fields absorbing energy that would have devastated the audience.
"Incredible!" The announcer's voice competed with the chaos. "Both trainers unleashing maximum power attacks! The arena itself is taking damage!"
When the storms cleared, both Dragon-types remained airborne. Damaged, breathing heavily, but utterly unbroken.
"You're as good as they say," Kanaye admitted.
"So are you."
"Then let's stop warming up." Kanaye's expression hardened. "Primal Reversion!"
The transformation began with ancient power.
Mega Salamence's form shifted, primordial energy flooding through evolved flesh and bone. The Primal state was different from Mega Evolution, older, rawer, connected to the fundamental forces that had shaped Dragon-types since the world's beginning.
Primal Salamence emerged wreathed in draconic aura, its presence alone generating pressure that pushed against everyone in the stadium. This was Dragon-type power in its purest form, unchained, overwhelming, absolute.
Sasuke's response was immediate. "Latios, Primal Reversion!"
His own partner transformed, ancient energies awakening that predated human civilization. Primal Latios radiated psychic and draconic power in equal measure, its form shimmering with potential that transcended normal battle parameters.
"Two Primal Pokémon," the announcer breathed. "The draconic aura... I've never felt anything like this!"
The crowd had fallen silent, overwhelmed by the pressure emanating from both combatants. Even experienced trainers found themselves holding their breath, recognizing that they were witnessing something extraordinary.
"Dynamax!" Both trainers called simultaneously.
The already-massive Primal forms expanded further, energy flooding into bodies that grew to kaiju scale. Primal Dynamax Salamence and Primal Dynamax Latios faced each other across an arena that suddenly seemed far too small for their conflict.
"Max Wyrmwind!"
Dragon energy erupted from both directions, twin attacks of identical power meeting at the arena's center. The collision generated a shockwave that cracked the floor, shattered remaining windows, and pushed the barrier systems to absolute limits.
"Max Mindstorm!"
Latios followed its Dragon attack with Psychic devastation, mental energy crashing against Salamence's defenses. The Flying/Dragon-type roared in response, its own Max Wyrmwind providing counter-pressure.
They exchanged blows like titans of legend, each attack shaking the stadium, each defense tested to its limits. The crowd could only watch as two Supernovas demonstrated exactly why they'd earned that designation.
"This is what Championship-level combat looks like!" The announcer had abandoned professional neutrality for pure awe. "We're witnessing the future of the League right here!"
The battle's climax came without warning.
Both Pokémon had accumulated tremendous damage. Their Dynamax states flickered, energy reserves depleted by sustained maximum-power combat. The next exchange would likely be the last.
"Everything we have!" Kanaye's voice carried across the devastated arena. "Max Wyrmwind, full power!"
"Latios!" Sasuke's response matched his rival's intensity. "Max Mindstorm, go all out!"
The attacks launched simultaneously.
Dragon energy collided with Psychic force in an explosion that temporarily blinded everyone present. Sound became meaningless, the detonation exceeded the threshold of normal hearing, registering only as pressure against eardrums.
When vision returned, both massive forms were falling.